Elders work with our clients on their healing journey and offer their guidance, spiritual support, and cultural teachings.
Elizabeth Nadolnick
Elizabeth Nadolnick brings deep wisdom, cultural knowledge, and decades of experience to her work with clients at Sunrise. She began her journey with Sunrise in 2001 as a Client Support Worker and later took on the role of Residential Supervisor, a position she held until 2013. In November 2023, Elizabeth returned to Sunrise in the role of Elder.
Culture has always been a central part of Elizabeth’s life. Her continued dedication to supporting others reflects her commitment to healing, resilience, and the strength of Indigenous ways of knowing.
Clarence Wolfleg
Miiksikaʼam (born 1948) is a Siksika Indigenous elder, policeman, and veteran from Alberta, Canada. He is also known as Broken Knife and Clarence Wolfleg. He was given the name Clarence Wolfleg at Old Sun Indian Residential School. He attended high school in Calgary. After high school Miiksikaʼam enlisted in the Canadian Army. He served with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, including with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and NATO Forces Continental Europe.
After his military service he became a corrections officer and police officer with the Blackfoot Tribal Police, which he eventually headed. His other roles included directing outpatient services at Siksika Alcohol Services and serving ten terms on the Siksika Nation Council.
Dakota Eagle Woman
Dakota Eagle Woman is of Anishinaabe descent, originally from Southern Ontario. She has resided in Alberta since the early 70’s and been blessed to be accepted by both Blackfoot and Cree peoples of Alberta. She has had an extremely event filled life and is well traveled. Dakota has been involved in both Provincial and Federal corrections systems with youth, adult women and men. She is the first First Nations individual to win the YMCA peace medal for “community individual” in 2013. As well as teaching programs at the Calgary Aboriginal Friendship Centre for 6 years, she continues to assist people at 2 addictions centres in Calgary as well as holding circles at Elbow River Healing Lodge and counselling weekly. Dakota continues to consult where and when as needed for such issues as affordable housing, equality and injustice. Her motto is “it starts with one respectful voice”!
Emile Ward
Elder Emile Ward is a wonderful knowledge keeper. Emile is a loving father of 3. He is also a very proud grandfather of 3 grandchildren & great-grandchild. Emile is originally from Drift Pile First Nation, which is located on treaty 8 land. Emile Ward graduated high school in 1966. Emile was in active alcoholism from 1966-1980. This led Emile to start working on himself & he attended a treatment center in the spring of 1980. From that day on, Emile had led a 43-year journey of sobriety that would lead to the passion of helping others with addiction. Emile began counseling others in 1983 in the north west territories. He moved to Calgary in 1984. Emile successfully completed the ‘Nechi Addiction Training’ from 1984-1986. Emile was a former Director of an adult & adolescent treatment center. During his time there he would develop addiction programs, community workshops, direct counselling. Emile, semi-retired in January of 2020. He currently facilitates CROW program (Caring, Responsible, Overcoming, Willing) at Sunrise.